Wednesday, January 6, 2010

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."Marianne Williamson, quoted by Nelson Mandela

I love this excerpt from the book " A Return to Love" by Marianne Williamson. It makes one really think about our obligation. This shared obligation to be what we can be, is not only for ourselves, but for the world. I truly believe that we all came here to fulfill a divine purpose. One must first recognize their own worth and potential though. That's why this passage is so profound to me.

This is not to say that you must endeavor to be President of the United States, or some other high ranking position to be a powerful force for change. You could be an everyday Joe or Jill and still make a huge impact.

We first need to recognize that we are powerful and influential. You may never give a public speech, or run a multi-million dollar corporation, but you are still powerful... still influential. We influence and effect change through our interactions with others. A smile. A word of encouragement. An attitude of service to others. Teaching our children that they are powerful, by your encouragement and "powerful" example. These are all small, but big ways that we can impact our world. It's about recognizing that everything matters. Our attitudes, actions, thoughts and beliefs. It's about making conscious choices concerning who we want to be, and what messages we want to send...

" You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result." - Mahatma Gandhi